Jim McElwain praises a couple of Florida’s early enrollee freshmen

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Jim McElwain is getting his first look at the Gators’ crop of early enrollee freshmen this spring, and he had praise for a couple of those newcomers Monday.

Kemore Gamble, a 4-star tight end, and Kadeem Telfort, a 4-star offensive tackle, who are both from the Miami area, have made a quick impression in their first spring camp.

“Kemore is a guy that people are going to know who he is. He’s doing a really good job,” McElwain said.

Gamble, listed at 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, has a reputation for being a physical blocker, but speaking in December prior to arriving on campus, he also said he expected to be used as a downfield target in the passing game to utilize his speed against linebackers.

Florida has two established tight ends returning in senior DeAndre Goolsby (38 catches for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns) and redshirt-junior C’yontai Lewis (18-184-2), but Gamble is an intriguing addition.

“His natural football instinct, the fact it’s really important to him and his toughness has really showed up,” McElwain said. “Like a lot of these young guys, they’re hungry. Just seeing them go out and compete and take coaching I think has been really good. … He gives us some versatility as well. He’s got some really good ball skills.”

Again, Florida has established players at both tackle spots. Junior Martez Ivey, who has moved from left guard to left tackle, is entering his third season as a starter while sophomore Jawaan Taylor was a breakout performer at right tackle last season.

McElwain dismissed the notion that Telfort is “stuck” behind those guys, though.

“I wouldn’t say he’s stuck behind them because he could actually push,” he said. “He’s doing a nice job. The old stuck-behind-a-guy deal. He’s not stuck because the best guy’s going to play.”